Aviation Accident: Scheduled Flight to Moscow Crashes Near Vnukovo Airport (SP-LNF)

Flight Details and Initial Approach The aircraft departed Warsaw-Okecie Airport on a non-stop scheduled flight to Moscow, following the normal route of flight LO232. The flight carried 8 passengers, 5 crew members, and 819 kg of mail and cargo. The flight proceeded routinely until reaching Klimentiewo, located 75 km west of Vnukovo Airport, where communication with air traffic control was established. ## Descent and Approach Clearance During the flight leg between Wiazma and Klimentiewo, the aircraft followed its route and lowered its altitude as instructed by the air traffic controller due to bad weather conditions, specifically a storm, in that area. Over Klimentiewo, the aircraft was at an altitude of 400 m with an altimeter setting of 737.4 mm Hg (current QFE at Vnukovo Airport). The pilot reported sighting the ground and was cleared by the air traffic controller to descend to 300 m and head for Vnukovo Airport. ## Deviation from Procedure and Impact At 2307LT, five minutes before the scheduled time of arrival at the aerodrome, the crew requested approach clearance. The air traffic controller had transferred control of the aircraft to the approach control service, which established contact with the aircraft and provided the pilot with the QAM, clearing him for approach in accordance with the instrument approach procedure prescribed for that aerodrome. Although the pilot acknowledged receipt of the approach clearance, the crew failed to adhere to the prescribed procedure and descended to such a low altitude that the aircraft hit the ground. The aircraft was completely demolished. ## Casualties Five passengers and 4 crew members were killed in the accident, and 3 passengers were seriously injured.